By Bernama
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (centre) at a dinner hosted by Yinson Production in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Saturday. (Bernama pic)RIO DE JANEIRO: Malaysian companies must be willing to explore new markets and trading opportunities overseas instead of relying solely on traditional markets, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said.He said platforms like BRICS offer enormous opportunities, and praised Malaysian companies Petronas, and Yinson Production for their successful ventures in Brazil.Anwar, who is here at the invitation of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva to attend the 17th BRICS Leaders鈥 Summit, said Lula was surprised to see Malaysian companies doing business in the country.鈥淚 mentioned Yinson and Petronas to him, and their role in Brazil. He was surprised and asked for more details,鈥 he said at a dinner hosted by Yinson Production here.Present were investment, trade and industry minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz and Yinson Holdings Bhd executive chairman Lim Han Weng.Yinson, an independent owner and operator of floating, production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) vessels, has three projects in Brazil 鈥 FPSO Anna Nery, FPSO Maria Quiteria, and FPSO Atlanta 鈥 starting from 2023.Petronas has also ventured into oil production in Brazil and opened its petrol station as well last year.Anwar, who is also the finance minister, said although Malaysia鈥檚 biggest markets and sources of investment are the US and China, there are opportunities beyond them.He said he has asked Tengku Zafrul to facilitate and offer assistance to Malaysian companies keen to do business in Brazil.Brazil has not only shown its strength as a voice of the Third World, but has also become an important economic power, he said.On his meeting with Lula in the morning, Anwar said they discussed issues of importance between the two countries.He said Lula has accepted his invitation to visit Malaysia during the Asean Summit in October.鈥淗e wants to bring key ministers and business groups to Malaysia. There will be a special conference with both of us jointly addressing the event,鈥 he said.Malaysia is taking part in the BRICS Leaders鈥 Summit as a partner country and as Asean chair for 2025. It officially became a BRICS partner country on Jan 1.Brazil is one of Malaysia鈥檚 main trading partners in Latin America. Bilateral trade between the two nations increased by 14.6% to RM20.35 billion in 2024, from RM17.43 billion in 2023.